Bukhara End of Nineteenth Century – Early Twentieth Century

Сухарева, О.
А. Бухара, XIX- Начало ХХ в. Москва: Наука; Глав. Ред Восточной Лит-Ры,
1962, 224с.

Sukhareva,
O. A. Bukhara,
XIX- Nachalo XX v. Moscow: Nauka;
Glav. Red Vostochnoĭ Lit-ry, 1962, 224pp.

ABSTRACT

Bukhara
End of Nineteenth Century – Early Twentieth Century

Бухара, XIX- Начало ХХ в

The
book gives an overview of industrial activities in Bukhara, one of the largest
mediaeval cities of Central Asia. The work describes multiple types of trade
and craftsmanship, technology deployed in production, output products, labour
and industries in the mediaeval times. It discusses the emergence of new types
of manufacturing production in the most developed sectors of economy.

The
author begins by presenting the state of current research on trade and
industrial activities in mediaeval Bukhara. He then describes the multiple
types of trade and craftsmanship by providing their classification in Bukhara.

Each
section of the book discusses a different professional activity which prevailed
in mediaeval Bukhara, covering craftsmanship, metal and leather works, and
masonry. An important section is dedicated to textile processing and weaving as
it was an important activity throughout Bukhara’s history. Many details are
provided on the textile making process including unreeling of cocoons and
dyeing.

The
book also depicts the fashion in which food was produced, such as grain
milling, oil pressing, and confectionery. The last chapter to deal with
mediaeval Bukhara refers to other interesting professions of the time such as
pottery making, woodcrafts, soap-making, candle making, book binding, and
fabrication of tents. Finally, the book discusses the changes which occurred in
Bukhara at the turn of the century.

Despite
the title, the book mainly focuses on the mediaeval rather than the
contemporary period. There is no separate bibliography enclosed in the volume.
However, references and sources are provided on every page. There is also a
glossary of terms connected with craftsmanship in Bukhara together with thirty
pages of illustrations, consisting of photographs and drawings depicting
craftsmen, their tools and samples of craft products in black and white.

Shamsiddin
Kamoliddin

Translated by Ivan Leonidov